Highlights
- Three (3) composite samples were provided to SGS Canada Inc. for Heavy Liquid Separation (HLS) testing to assess the suitability of large-scale Dense Media Separation (DMS) processing.
- Composite 18 achieved a 74.1% recovery to produce a 5.69% Li2O concentrate with low iron of 0.42% Fe2O3.
- Composite 21 achieved a 69.6% recovery to produce a 5.08% Li2O concentrate with low iron of 0.55% Fe2O3.
- Composite 23 achieved a 71.6% recovery to produce a 5.60% Li2O concentrate with low iron of 0.46% Fe2O3.
- The next phase of metallurgy work will include additional HLS test work on other areas of the main mineralized zone at the Cisco Project.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Aug. 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Q2 Metals Corp. (TSX.V: QTWO | OTCQB: QUEXF | FSE: 458) ("Q2" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the successful results of the first phase of metallurgical test work on drill core samples collected from the 2024 drill program at the Cisco Lithium Project (the "Project" or the "Cisco Project"), located within the greater Nemaska traditional territory of the Eeyou Istchee James Bay, Quebec, Canada.
The objective of the preliminary test program was to achieve a spodumene concentrate at ~70% recovery with Heavy Liquid Separation ("HLS") test work to confirm the potential suitability of a Dense Media Separation ("DMS") process. The results of this test work confirms that strong recoveries can be achieved with a DMS circuit and as expected, the low iron content of the head samples continues through to the concentrate.
"We're extremely encouraged with the results of this first round of metallurgical testing that confirms that DMS driven processing can be implemented at Cisco. Magnetic or flotation treatments were not utilized in this round due to the success of the HLS tests. The strong recovery combined with low iron content are the highlights so far," stated Neil McCallum, Q2 Metals VP of Exploration. "The next phase of metallurgy test work will be designed to expand upon these positive results and to maximize the concentrate grade and recovery rates at increased scale."
The metallurgical test program for the Cisco Project was completed by SGS Canada Inc. ("SGS") at their laboratory in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada and is focused on industry standard and cost-effective processing techniques applicable to spodumene pegmatite.
Sample Description:
Each of the three composite samples consisted of approximately 45 Kg of material derived from quarter-split drill core material (Table 1). The composite samples were selected from approximately 43 metres of continuous mineralization from drill holes CS24-018, 21 and 23. The material from each composite was blended prior to performing the test work.
Table 1. Composite Sample Description
Test Work Description:
A five-kilogram subset of the blended composite material was further crushed to -9.5 millimetres ("mm") and -6.3 mm to test the applicability of DMS. The -6.3mm was found to be an optimal crush size, and the results of which are summarized below.
A series of sink/float HLS tests were performed on each sample. No magnetic separation was performed on the samples.
At a crush size of -6.3mm, the lithium recovery ranged between 70% and 74% with a concentrate grade between 5.08% and 5.96% Li2O:
- Composite 18 achieved a 74.1% recovery with a specific gravity ("SG") cut point of 2.80 to produce a 5.69% Li2O concentrate with low iron of 0.42% Fe2O3.
- Composite 21 achieved a 69.6% recovery with a cut point of 2.80 SG to produce a 5.08% Li2O concentrate with low iron of 0.55% Fe2O3.
- Composite 23 achieved a 71.6% recovery with a cut point of 2.80 SG to produce a 5.60% Li2O concentrate with a low iron of 0.46% Fe2O3.
Table 2. Summary of HLS Testing
Figure 1. Image of HLS sink/float products from Comp 18
Next Steps:
Further work by SGS will test both the necessity of magnetic separation to treat any wall-rock that may or may not be included in the processing stream as well as assess the potential for a flotation circuit to the processing scenario to maximize recovery of the fine material and the rejected middlings of the material of the primary DMS circuit.
Additional HLS test work will be completed on other areas of the main mineralized zone at the Cisco Project to confirm the recoveries in other regions.
Qualified Person
Neil McCallum, B.Sc., P.Geol, a registered permit holder with the Ordre des Géologues du Québec and Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101 ("QP") has reviewed and approved the technical information in this news release. Mr. McCallum is a director and the Vice President Exploration for Q2.
ABOUT Q2 METALS CORP.
Q2 Metals is a Canadian mineral exploration company focused on the Cisco Lithium Project located within the greater Nemaska traditional territory of the Eeyou Istchee, James Bay, Quebec, Canada.
The Cisco Project is comprised of 801 claims, totaling 41,253 hectares, with the main mineralized zone just 6.5 km from the Billy Diamond Highway, which transects the Project. The Town of Matagami, rail head of the Canadian National Railway, is approximately 150 km to the south.
The Cisco Project has district-scale potential with an initial Exploration Target estimating a range of potential lithium mineralization and grade of 215 to 329 million tonnes at a grade ranging from 1.0 to 1.38% Li2O, based only on the first 40 holes drilled.
Drill testing continues with mineralization open at depth and along strike with potential for significant expansion at the Cisco Mineralized Zone. The 2025 Summer Program is ongoing, with rolling assay results anticipated in the coming weeks and months as the Company works towards an initial resource estimate.
ABOUT SGS:
SGS is the world's leading testing, inspection and certification company. SGS is recognized as the global benchmark for quality and integrity. With more than 99,500 employees, SGS operates a network of over 2,500 labs and business facilities combining the precision and accuracy that define Swiss companies to help organizations achieve the highest standards of quality, compliance and sustainability.
